Navarre softball advances to 4A regional semifinals

By RANDY DICKSON

Florida Freedom Newspapers

NAVARRE - Haley Curle doubled in Bri Risner in the bottom of the eighth inning as Navarre beat Tallahassee Godby 2-1 on Tuesday in the Class 4A softball regional quarterfinals.

The Raiders (18-5) host Wakulla on Friday in the regional semifinals

"Haley had a rough first two at-bats, but I felt positive about her going up there that last time and she got the first pitch she wanted and she hit it hard," Raider coach Lauris Joyner said.

Risner had doubled to open the eighth before Curle ended it with her lone hit of the game.

Although it was the Cougars who drew first blood with an unearned run in the third, the Raiders seemed to control the game from the outset.

Godby's lead didn't last long as Navarre used consecutive singles by Brittany Naker, Katelynn Stone and Emily Pettigrew to tie the game at 1-1 in the fourth.

About the only thing that slowed the Navarre offense was the eight runners the Raiders left on base.

Fortunately for Navarre's offense, pitcher Jessica Stapleton struck out eight while allowing just four Cougar hits.

In the meantime, the Raiders managed to pound Godby pitcher Jessica Rivenbark for 11 hits, forcing the Cougar junior to work her way out of a jam time after time.

"I was always concerned," Joyner said. "They were playing a good ballgame, playing us hard and we were not getting the hits when we needed them early in the ball game.

"But the girls kept their heads up. Mentally a game like this makes us focus and gives us confidence that we have the girls that can get the big hits as well."

Amanda Gustafson, Danielle Kildow and Pettigrew each had three hits to lead the Raider attack.

Godby     001 000 00- 1   4 1

Navarre   000 100 01- 2 11 2

W-Jessica Stapleton. L-Rivenbark.